Finding the right listing agent to help you select the perfect UBC home can be a hassle. You want an agent that you can connect with, someone that understands the type of home you want and why you need it. A real estate agent becomes a confidant to buyers. They will help you navigate the real estate market and help you manage your expectations.

There is no clear-cut science to finding the right real estate agent, It’s all about research and personal interaction. Referrals from family and friends also help tremendously. After speaking on the phone or through email, schedule a meeting with an agent before enlisting them. A brief meeting can give you a sense of the agent’s personality, qualifications and professionalism.

Whether you are buying or selling a home, you need to know that your agent has good marketing skills. Being a seller is all about the art of marketing as well as the ability to “speak” to different people in a way they can understand. To help you with your search, read some of my tips for finding the right listing agent for you. Contact me today for tips on how to sell UBC homes.

What does A Real Estate Agent Sell?

If someone were to ask you what a real estate agent sells, you will most likely say property. However, the selling experience is about much more than that. The seller needs to do research to find out what the appropriate listing price should be for your home. Properties that are overpriced run the risk of sitting on the market for years. Undervalued properties get sold at a loss to the owner. It is the job of the selling agent to make sure your property is priced at a level that is attractive to buyers and your profit margin.

Experienced listing agents know what qualities buyers are looking for in a home. They will take into consideration any upgrades and renovations you have done to create a favorable figure. They will also research the selling price of comparable homes in the area as well as the property’s location.

The Importance of Staging

Many buyers do not know that the right staging can make or break a sale. Staging involves decorating a home to attract buyers. The right staging techniques will highlight the right attributes in a home such as lots of natural light and minimize unattractive qualities.

A trained selling agent will know how to make a home look inviting with the right decorating tips and ideas. They may even hire an interior decorator to help create the right look. Selling agents will also recommend changes to the home such as renovations to help up the selling price. The agent will then schedule an open house for buyers and other agents to view the property and do a quick walk through.

Advertising

Good real estate agents have a network of colleagues they will contact when a hot property is on the market. Word-of-mouth is still one of the best forms of advertisement and real estate agents always have a few clients looking for a new property. Listing agents will also know the appropriate demographic to market to. They will list properties in periodicals and on websites that your target demographic reads.

Contact Me For Tips on Selling UBC Homes

Buyers and sellers in the British Columbia community that are looking for a great listing agent should contact Sam Huang. Sam is an experienced UBC real estate specialist that can assist you with buying the perfect home or with selling it. The UBC area is a prime real estate market and I can help you navigate it with ease. Call me today to discuss your property.

Home buyers and sellers face changing market dynamics

Metro Vancouver* home sales dipped below the 10-year monthly sales average last month. This is the first time this has occurred in the region since May 2014.

Metro Vancouver home sales totalled 2,253 in September 2016, a decrease of 32.6 per cent from the 3,345 sales recorded in September 2015 and a decrease of 9.5 per cent compared to August 2016 when 2,489 homes sold.

Last month’s sales were 9.6 per cent below the 10-year sales average for the month.

“Supply and demand conditions differ today depending on property type,” Dan Morrison, REBGV president said. “We’re seeing more demand for condominiums and townhomes today than in the detached homemarket.”

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Metro Vancouver totalled 4,799 in September 2016. This represents a decrease of one per cent compared to the 4,846 units listed in September 2015 and an 11.8 per cent increase compared to August 2016 when 4,293 properties were listed.

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 9,354, a 13.4 per cent decline compared to September 2015 (10,805) and a 10 per cent increase compared to August 2016 (8,506).

The sales-to-active listings ratio for September 2016 is 24.1 per cent. This is the lowest this ratio has been since February 2015. Generally, analysts say that downward pressure on home prices occurs when the ratio dips below the 12 per cent mark, while home prices often experience upward pressure when it reaches the 20 to 22 per cent range in a particular community for a sustained period.

“Changing market conditions are easing upward pressure on home prices in our region,” Morrison said. “There’s uncertainty in the market at the moment and home buyers and sellers are having difficulty establishing price as a result. To help you understand the factors affecting prices, it’s important to talk with a REALTOR®.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $931,900. This represents a 28.9 per cent increase compared to September 2015 and a 0.1 per cent decline compared to August 2016.

Sales of detached properties in September 2016 reached 666, a decrease of 47.6 per cent from the 1,272 detached sales recorded in September 2015. The benchmark price for detached properties is $1,579,400. This represents a 33.7 per cent increase compared to September 2015 and a 0.1 per cent increase compared to August 2016.

Sales of apartment properties reached 1,218 in September 2016, a decrease of 20.3 per cent compared to the 1,529 sales in September 2015.The benchmark price of an apartment property is $511,800. This represents a 23.5 per cent increase compared to September 2015 and a 0.5 per cent decline compared to August 2016.

Attached property sales in September 2016 totalled 369, a decrease of 32.2 per cent compared to the 544 sales in September 2015. The benchmark price of an attached unit is $677,000. This represents a 29.1 per cent increase compared to September 2015 and a 0.1 per cent decline compared to August 2016.